There's not long to wait for Samurai Shodown's Switch release in the west, but if you're willing to pay a little more over the odds and like getting limited edition junk, then you might want to invest in the Japanese version – known as Samurai Spirits – which comes with full English language support (it even boots with the western name when it detects your system language).

We bagged our copy from Hong Kong importer Play Asia, which came with a few more bonus goodies over the 'basic' limited edition version.

The coolest thing about this pack is that the game is placed inside an authentic Neo Geo AES "Shockbox" cartridge case – complete with convincing cover inlay – alongside a mini artbook full of gorgeous illustrations.

On top of that, there's a 36-page Neo Geo Freak magazine devoted to the game, a 2-CD soundtrack album, limited edition Switch carry case and a download code for Samurai Shodown 2 on the Neo Geo Pocket Color (the latter of which has to be redeemed using a Japanese eShop account, just in case you were wondering).

The emulation of this handheld game is excellent, and it gives us hope that SNK will give us more NPGC games in the near future, as the console's library is criminally underrated and deserves to be enjoyed by a wider audience.

Special editions are hardly rare these days, but this package is taken to the next level by the inclusion of that faithful AES cartridge case. It might be a pain to fit on your Switch games shelf, but if you grew up with Neo Geo hardware, it ticks all of the right boxes.

Will you be taking the plunge with this edition, or are you waiting for the western release on February 25th? Let us know with a comment.

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Damien has over a decade of professional writing experience under his belt, as well as a repulsively hairy belly. Rumours that he turned down a role in The Hobbit to work on Nintendo Life are, to the best of our knowledge, completely and utterly unfounded.

This is very much the wrong version to get I think. I have the European release on pre-order, it comes with the 'Shockbox', as above + a boxed Switch copy of Samurai Shodown (2019) 'and' a seperate boxed Switch cart port of Samurai Shodown 2 for the Neo Geo Pocket Colour. All in English.

At first I was going to get the Japanese version as well since I feared that the western version would be censored of blood and fatalities but I don't like the Japanese name (Samurai Spirits) so I went with the Asian version instead which had the western name. Sadly going with the Asian version means I don't get the bonus NeoGeo Pocket Color game but at least it got the blood and violence intact and is in full English.

@Synthatron_Prime What you talking about, the game runs fine to me and Samurai Shodown is meant to be a slow pace fighting game anyways. The only thing you're not getting is a good visual resolution compare to the other ports, but the game does shine at around 540p in handheld mode and 720p in dock mode which if you compare to the arcade version is very much on par with that. Only the menus and gauge bar are at higher resolutions, the framerates are smooth as butter. I had play and beat all Samurai Shodown games up to this point, I know when it runs good or bad and this one is definitely good.

@retro_player_22 It's good you're happy with it, that's what counts. Looking at frame rate analysis videos it's constantly dropping below 60fps during gameplay. For me personally I want a consistent frame rate for a fighter. Unless they've improved or patched it it does not run consistently. It's not terrible by any means though.

@geox30 "Will there be a physical release in Europe? Pre ordering the digital version is the only way to get the Neo Geo Pocket game?"

There is a physcial cart release of Samurai Shodown (2019) in Europe. And there is also a physical cart release of the Neo Geo Pocket Colour game, Samurai Shodown 2, for the Switch in Europe. I have both pre-ordered. The one caveat is that the two physical copies will come as part of a bundle, similar to that showcased in the article above. (March release, I think).

@Mark-number-12 maybe I missed a more recent update but the framrate tests had it dropping below 60fps quite often. Like a replied to someone earlier if you're good with it that's good. That's the important part.

Yes, I have seen that. But that is pretty much comparing like with like. It's comparing the Switch with itself (docked vs handheld). I think what is impressive is that it is 'pretty much' locked at 60 fps in docked mode. And that we can play it in handheld mode too, is just a welcome bonus. It's a very impressive port https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzbohJ3YC_0

@Mark-number-12 I agree, it's a nice port. I'll get it on ps4 because I probably wouldn't play it portable and I'd prefer higher resolution and a more stable framerate. But for those that want the portability this is a winner. And to clarify I originally wanted it for Switch because I have other fighters on it but changed my mind recently. Definitely enjoy the game regardless of format!

My strategy will be to pick up the Switch port for now, just for the versatility and also for the neat physical copy of the Neo Geo Pocket Colour title. I will then pick up the PS4 version when the inevitable 'complete' version gets released (because both vanilla versions are a little thin on content (story modes etc) at the moment).